Happy Veteran's Day 2020

 It's been an incredible year - and I don't necessarily use the word "incredible" in a good way!  I don’t want to get political, but I think all of you would agree that we are at a unique time in our nation’s history.  I don’t think that there has ever been a time in my lifetime that we’ve been so fractured as a society.  COVID-19 has both highlighted that fact and magnified it.  

I remain optimistic that we will get through this though.  I heard Chicago's Mayor give a speech today, and she said that veterans have always placed country over self.  As I thought about it more, I realized she is exactly right.  Unfortunately, with all that is going on, it seems like that willingness to place country over self is a rare thing in today’s world.

I can't help but think of the famous song "This Land is Your Land" by the late folk singer, Woody Guthrie.  He apparently wrote the song in response to Irving Berlin's song, "God Bless America."  Bruce Springsteen called it one of the greatest songs ever written.  

This land is your land, this land is my land

From California to the New York Island

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters

This land was made for you and me.

As I was walking that ribbon of highway

I saw above me that endless skyway

I saw below me that golden valley

This land was made for you and me.

I roamed and I rambled and I followed my footsteps

To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts

While all around me a voice was sounding

This land was made for you and me.

When the sun came shining, and I was strolling

And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling

A voice was chanting, As the fog was lifting,

This land was made for you and me.

This land is your land, this land is my land

From California to the New York Island

From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream waters

This land was made for you and me.

It's a beautiful song that says that the land belongs to all of us.  Not just Republicans, not just Democrats.  Our country should be a country for everyone.  We will always have our differences, but we should never let those differences forget that we are stronger, together.  We will go farther, together.  We will be greater, together.

Country over self.  I am reassured that there are individuals still in this world who are willing to do so.  That, more than anything, gives me great hope for the future.  It only took Veteran’s Day to remind me.